Cott Responds to Recent Market Speculation

Cott Responds to Recent Market Speculation
  
 

TORONTO, ON and TAMPA, FL--(Marketwired - Feb 5, 2014) - Cott Corporation (NYSE: COT) (TSX: BCB), in response to recent market speculation that Cott is evaluating certain strategic alternatives, confirms that consistent with past practice, the Board of Directors has engaged Credit Suisse LLC as part of its strategic planning process to assist it in evaluating whether there are alternatives available to Cott that would either complement its strategy of organic growth and growth through diversification or otherwise enhance shareholder value. No particular alternative has been identified to date, and there can be no assurance that any particular alternative will be pursued. Cott's policy is to not comment on market rumors or media speculation, and Cott does not propose to comment further on these matters unless disclosure thereof is warranted.

About Cott Corporation Cott is one of the world's largest producers of beverages on behalf of retailers, brand owners and distributors. Cott produces multiple types of beverages in a variety of packaging formats and sizes, including carbonated soft drinks, 100% shelf stable juice and juice-based products, clear, still and sparkling flavored waters, energy products, sports products, new age beverages, and ready-to-drink teas, as well as alcoholic beverages for brand owners. Cott's large manufacturing footprint, substantial research and development capability and high level of quality and customer service enables Cott to offer its customers a strong value-added proposition of low cost, high quality products. With approximately 4,000 employees, Cott operates manufacturing facilities in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Mexico. Cott also develops and manufactures beverage concentrates, which it exports to over 50 countries around the world.

Safe Harbor Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 reflecting Cott's expectations as to the future based on facts known to it at this time. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties and Cott cautions you that a number of important factors could affect actual outcomes. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, but are not limited to, those related to Cott's evaluations and future plans described above. These are based on assumptions regarding management's current plans and estimates. Management believes these are reasonable but there is no assurance that they will prove to be accurate, or that the outcomes of any effort to identify strategic or financial alternatives or to execute on our growth strategy will be successful.

Factors that could cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those indicated in this press release include, among others: the results of operations of our core business; general economic, financial and political conditions that affect our business and financial markets; conditions and events that affect our business in particular in the industry sectors in which we operate, including demand for our products, commodities pricing, the pricing behavior of our competitors, currency fluctuations, and weather conditions, among them; our ability to implement our strategic plans and initiatives; our ability to identify and evaluate strategic alternatives; a reassessment by the Board of Directors of the advisability of investigating strategic alternatives at this time; the risks and uncertainties of any strategic alternative that is identified, including our ability to accurately assess risk and alternatives; whether any identified alternative is pursued and consummated; and whether any consummated alternative ultimately enhances shareholder value. There can be no assurance that Cott will successfully identify, pursue or consummate any alternative that enhances shareholder value.

The foregoing summary of factors is not exhaustive. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures, including but not limited to risk factors contained in Cott's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012 and its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, as well as other periodic reports filed with the securities commissions. Cott does not undertake to update or revise any of these statements in light of new information or future events, except as expressly required by applicable law.

Website: www.cott.com

CONTACT: Robert Meyer Investor Relations Tel: [phone] Email Contact